Labor Government commits to long-term funding for NT’s elderly

The Labor Government has recently committed $46 million to the Indigenous Aged Care Plan, which was announced in September 2008.

The Indigenous Aged Care Plan aims to improve long-term care for elderly Indigenous Australians. Overall $285 million will be allocated over the next four years to improve aged and community care throughout the Northern Territory. The Government is taking a four-pronged approach:

• Increased financial support – during 2008-09, $64 million will be invested in aged care in NT, an 11.8% increase in spending since last year;
• Targeting the $300 million Zero Real Interest Loans to the NT – the second round of Zero Real Interest Loans is targeted at providing aged care in the NT;
• Employment programs aimed at supporting, encouraging, and retaining workers in aged care – grants were provided to Frontier Services in Mutitjulu and the MacDonnell Shire Council to construct overnight accommodation for staff to help attract and retain staff; and
• Practical measures to support aged care services in urban and very remote areas – flexible care beds and flexible residential aged care services for remote communities are being considered.

• Further information:
  • Commitment to Northern Territory Aged and Community Care
    View media release: Department of Health and Ageing, Australian Government (8 January 2009)
    View website: Department of Health and Ageing, Australian Government